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Bijon Islam Discusses Building Inclusive Data Ecosystems at the UN Data Governance Symposium in Shanghai

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LightCastle Editorial Wing
November 19, 2024
Bijon Islam Discusses Building Inclusive Data Ecosystems at the UN Data Governance Symposium in Shanghai

Bijon Islam, CEO and Co-founder of LightCastle Partners, recently participated in the Global Symposium on Data and Digital Governance, held in Shanghai and Deqing from October 19–22, 2024. 

Organized by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the symposium convened global leaders, policymakers, and data experts to explore the transformative potential of data and digital governance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Insights from the Event  

Bijon contributed to discussions on “Open Data as a Driver for Development Goals,” addressing priorities and challenges in advancing global data cooperation. In his presentation, he outlined several critical insights:

  • Inclusive Data Capture: Over 90% of global data has been created in recent years, with this figure set to grow further as costs decline. However, he stressed the critical need for inclusive infrastructure—ensuring affordable access to smart devices, internet connectivity, and digital literacy to capture data from all segments of society.
  • Interoperable Data Systems: The importance of creating business cases for data sharing across government and private platforms is crucial. And by integrating data from multiple sources, such as government records, telcos, and financial institutions, actionable insights can be generated—such as improving credit underwriting processes for MSMEs. Without clear, interoperable frameworks and practical use cases, data openness would fail to achieve its full potential.
  • Balancing Openness and Privacy: And the challenges of safeguarding data privacy and individual rights in open data systems was also highlighted. To mitigate these challenges, Bijon Islam advocated for innovative solutions, such as blockchain, to enable secure data ownership and user permissions while fostering collaborations among governments, private entities, and public-private partnerships).

Challenges in Data Governance

Despite its potential, the path to effective data governance is fraught with challenges. Digital access gaps persist, leaving many communities unable to participate in data ecosystems due to inadequate infrastructure or high costs. Beyond access, the reluctance of stakeholders to share data stems from a lack of clear incentives and frameworks for interoperability. 

Privacy and security concerns further complicate matters, raising questions about individual rights and data ownership. As data systems expand, the need for robust safeguards to ensure ethical and secure usage becomes more pressing.

Bijon Islam, CEO & Co-founder of LightCastle
UN Data Governance Symposium 2024

Way Forward  

The symposium highlighted actionable pathways to address these challenges, collaborative frameworks emerged as a critical solution, enabling stakeholders to establish interoperable data-sharing mechanisms that prioritize transparency and trust. 

Investments in digital literacy and infrastructure were highlighted as foundational steps toward building inclusive ecosystems. Additionally, embedding privacy safeguards, such as blockchain technologies for secure data-sharing permissions, could strike a balance between openness and individual rights.

Practical applications will also play a pivotal role in driving adoption. By demonstrating how open data initiatives can directly address pressing challenges—whether in financial inclusion, public service delivery, or urban planning—stakeholders are more likely to collaborate and invest in these systems.

Bijon Islam Discusses Building Inclusive Data Ecosystems
Bijon Islam at the UN Data Governance Symposium

Reflections and Next Steps

The symposium reinforced the potential of data governance in achieving global development goals. Contributions from industry leaders and policymakers offered fresh perspectives and strategies for advancing open data systems. As the global community works toward building inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital ecosystems, the insights from this symposium will serve as a foundation for continued collaboration and innovation.


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WRITTEN BY: LightCastle Editorial Wing

For further clarifications, contact here: [email protected]

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